‘So, You Think You Can Choreograph?’ Annual Competition at UPH Nov. 7

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Nacre Dance Group announced the annual ‘So, You Think You Can Choreograph?’ performance is back for its 7th season on Nov. 6, in a new venue and format.

The event, which starts at 7:30 p.m., will take place at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. Choreographers have been asked to create pieces in-the-round as dancers soar, roll, spin and sculpt through space. Audience members vote on their favorite piece of choreography, as choreographers compete to secure the coveted spot of Nacre’s 2022 guest artist in residence. 

Added to the evening’s program are four commentators: Maude Baum (celebrated area dance educator, director and choreographer of eba dance Theater and Maude Baum and Company), Christopher Amato (2019 choreography contestant who started his dance training as a scholarship student at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City), Diane Lachtrupp (co-director of Tango Fusion and 2014 winning choreography contestant) and Shawn Banner (area dance enthusiast and son of the late dance critic Mae Banner) The evening will be emceed by crowd favorites Johnny Martinez (Tango Fusion) and Ms Loni Lee (Nacre Dance Group).

This year’s program features choreography by Marisa Ballaro (SUNY College at Brockport graduate and Founding Artistic Director of Ballaro Dance/NYC), Tazdyn Francisco (Nazareth College graduate and independent choreographer/Amsterdam, NY), Zachary Frazee (Adjunct Professor in Dance at Hobart & William Smith Colleges and Founder of Frazee Feet Dance/Rochester, NY), Carly Martin (independent choreographer/Capital District), Corey John Snide (Juilliard School graduate and Professor of dance at Skidmore College), Frankie Soldevere (Master of Fine Arts in Dance from SUNY Brockport and upstate New York-based dance educator, choreographer, and scholar), Solange Rodrigues (SUNY Purchase College graduate and independent choreographer/Rochester, NY) and Garet Wierdsma (University Tisch School of the Arts graduate and independent choreographer/New Hartford, CT). The audience will vote for the best piece and decide the winner.

Tickets: $25 ($20 seniors and students) $15 for groups of 8 or more. For tickets and additional information, please visit www.universalpreservationhall.org or www.nacredance.org